[Assessment_Advisory_Committee] 2014-15 test administration window

[BROWN Derek]

Assessment Advisory,

As you know, the upcoming shift to Smarter Balanced assessments creates several unique problems with regard to the 2014-15 test administration window.  We understand it's a time sensitive issue and would like to further engage you electronically to help inform decision-making in the weeks to come.

Smarter Balanced has indicated at grades 3-8, no testing shall begin prior to 66% of instructional days being delivered.  At the high school level, 80% of instructional days must be delivered before testing shall begin.  This loosely corresponds to a 12-week window at grades 3-8 and a 6-week window at high school, both at the end of the school year.  Based on this information, we established broader state level windows to account for varying district starting dates across the state.  Our preliminary guidance (posted in the preliminary TAM, link below) indicates a Mar 3 - May 28 test window for grades 3-8, and a Apr 7 - May 28 test window for high school.  Several districts have indicated these windows are too restrictive, leaving approximately 10 and 5 weeks respectively, as opposed to the 12 and 6 previously discussed.

In addition, we know that a significant portion of the Smarter Balanced assessments will be hand scored.  We are still negotiating the time it will take to score the assessments, but believe it will be approximately 45 days.  Based on this information alone, we know the transition will impact our accountability system.  It is certainly possible to extend the backend of the window, but every day/week we extend further stresses the accountability system, essentially delaying the delivery of important information districts need for planning purposes.

Questions:
-       What are the advantages/disadvantages of extending the test window?
-       Is extending the test window to afford additional testing time worth the potential impact on accountability reporting?
-       Have districts completed an analysis of the available testing resources to confirm whether or not more time is necessary?

Your feedback and discussion on these and other pertinent questions are greatly appreciated.

Derek

Derek Brown
Director of Assessment
Office of Learning
Oregon Department of Education
255 Capitol St. NE
Salem, OR 97310
Ph. 503-947-5841
Fax 503-378-5156
derek.brown at state.or.us<mailto:derek.brown at state.or.us>



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